Policy & Press

IMHSA welcomes call for greater parity to be realised for mental health

In response to today’s call from mental health’s major patient charities and professional bodies for NHS England to reconsider its proposed annual tariff deflator for non-acute services, which includes mental health, IMHSA chair Alison Rose-Quirie said:

“IMHSA fully endorses today’s statement from mental health patient charities and professional bodies. It is imperative that NHS England reconsiders proposals for funding mental health services from April. This is the only way we can start to work towards parity of esteem across physical and mental health. The current plans are inherently unfair and will harm patients.

“NHS England must act now. In order to realise parity of esteem they should agree to reimburse all mental health providers who will have to absorb 20% greater efficiency savings than hospitals and take account of local circumstances. This will enable providers to investment in the system and will ultimately benefit patients.

“IMHSA fully recognises the significant pressures on the NHS and remains committed to working in partnership with the health and social care sector so that everyone with a mental health needs is afforded safe, effective support at good value. But it is only when the system realises the stated government policy of parity of esteem that the historic disinvestment in mental health services can be rebalanced.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. For more information, please contact Lindsay McCallum at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0207 227 16401 or 07432 676 635.

2. IMHSA is a leading group of eleven independent mental health service providers representing over 90% of the independent sector. Members include The Ansel Group, Care UK, Cygnet, Huntercombe, Partnerships in Care, Priory Group, Alpha Hospitals, The Retreat, In Mind, Glencare and St Andrew’s.

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Patient Access and Outcomes Campaign

One of IMHSA's main areas of focus is on improving access and outcomes for mental health patients.